Short Description

Description

Started selling cold bottles of Coke in 1929 at 8 years old Sold magazines and newspapers in 1935 to support the family Opened the first Dwarf Grill (aka Dwarf House) in 1946 with his brother Ben

Becoming Famous   

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Attempted to open a fast-food version of the Dwarf Grill, but customers hated it Sold fast-food restaurant to KFC Over a four year period ending in 1961, developed the chicken sandwich and the name Chick-fil-A He unveiled the sandwich to patrons and even Lyndon B. Johnson’s wife as a publicity stunt

Becoming Famous Cont.   

He fought to open the first in-mall fast-food restaurant in 1967 in Greenbriar Mall Jonesboro became home to the first Chick-fil-A Dwarf House in 1985 The first free-standing Chick-fil-A opened in 1986

Being a Servant Leader   

Treutt uses and preaches a servant style of leadership Builds trust with his employees and customers Provides opportunities to give to others:  

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handed out ‘Be Our Guest’ cards on a flight delayed on the runway Gave the chance for a friend in need to earn a new car

His leadership is best described when Treutt helped a boy named Eddie White.

“Nearly every moment of every day we have the opportunity to give something to someone else – our time, our love, our resources. I have always found more joy in giving when I did not expect anything in return.”

Determination for Success  

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Managed to maintain two restaurants during WWII, despite food shortages The second Dwarf House almost burned to ground one night, but Truett made sure the restaurant was ready to open the next morning Took on KFC when promoting his own breaded chicken All stores are closed on Sundays

“No goal is too high if we climb with care and confidence.”

Looking to the Future 

Truett Cathy is a firm believer is sculpting today’s youth.    

Eddie White Team Member Scholarship Foster Care WinShape

“You have to be very careful about what you say. More importantly, you have to be very careful about what you do. You never know how or when you influence people – especially children”

Some Favorite Quotes “It is when we stop doing our best work that our enthusiasm for the job wanes. We must motivate ourselves to do our very best, and by our example lead others to do their best as well.” “I believe no amount of business school training or work experience can teach what is ultimately a matter of personal character. Businesses are not dishonest or greedy, people are. Thus, a business, successful or not, is merely a reflection of the character of its leadership.”

Quotes About S. Truett Cathy “What impresses me most about Truett Cathy is that he has had the courage to follow his beliefs even though he’s pressured by the world to do otherwise. Even though the business world said it didn’t make sense to take Sundays off, Truett insisted on a day of rest.” Larry Julian Author, “God Is My CEO” "Through his passion for people (especially children), and his boundless generosity matched only by his incredible energy, Truett continues to build a brand that extends far beyond his signature Chick-fil-A sandwich. His values-driven business practices serve as an inspiration for all of us." Ken Bernhardt Regents Professor, Marketing Department Chair, and Taylor E. Little Jr. Professor of Marketing Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University